By Judi McLeod ——Bio and Archives--May 7, 2017
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“And what better idea to block out the 20’ tall “Trump” sign than to tether four giant gold-colored balloons to buoys in the Chicago River—of course.”New World Design Ltd. took down their website some time between May 3 and May 6. Here is Jeffrey Roberts’ picture.
“The little girls met with the same dignity the jeers along with the cheers of pedestrians and motorists watching their progress. “For the school girls, there were lessons to be learned in the response of onlookers like the homeless people who gave high fives, street preachers who burst into the singing of Gospel songs, and in the semi-truck drivers who shook the streets sounding their truck horns in approval. “I was completely ecstatic the whole time. I loved seeing how many people on a random street corner were thrilled. It is a lot more than we tend to think,” said one participant. (Sanctamissa.org, Aug. 14, 2011). “A passerby tweeted, “A balloon rosary in the air. My faith confirmed:)”, while another surprised Chicagoan wrote, “What the ...giant balloon rosary, with cross just floated heavenward from the Michigan Avenue bridge.” “Was it the innocence of elementary-school aged children that made the 6-foot gold cross sparkle in the sunlight as it ever so slowly ascended between the Tribune tower and the Wrigley building? “To the delight of the girls and witnesses who spotted it, the 75-foot rosary of helium-filled yellow balloons bearing the word LIFE then floated down Michigan Avenue over the Hancock Tower and past North Ave Beach. Cameras and cellphones flew into action as people responded to the unexpected sight. “Trustingly the girls had first prayed the rosary in front of the Washington Blvd. Family Planning Associates, with all the fervour of school children, for an end to abortion.”
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“Flying Pigs on Parade: A Chicago River Folly“, which will be deployed as a one-day art installation, is rich in symbolism. The pigs themselves are a reference to Animal Farm—George Orwell’s allegorical novella about tyranny and authoritarianism—but also a cue to Trump’s infamous “Miss Piggy” comments and to the “gaudy style” of his own gold ensconced penthouse interior. (HeatStreet.com) “The flying pigs are modeled after the yellow pig floating atop London’s Battersea Power Station on the cover of Pink Floyd’s 1977 Animals album. (The band’s bassist, Roger Waters even reached out to Roberts to give him his blessing to replicate the original design.) “Despite the work’s clear political slant, the designers are keen not to be labelled as “radicals or activists.” Instead, they write on their blog that this “folly” should be seen as a “gesture in support of those of more rational, optimistic and inclusive minds.”You can’t make this stuff up. “As Roberts told the Chicagoist:
We’re not highly political people, but with so many ridiculous actions taking place, we thought the strongest way to respond was with us using our design skills. (HeatStreet)Canada Free Press sees it as piling on.
“The swine are expected to alight sometime in late August or September, but no firm date has yet been fixed as the project needs funding. Roberts and his colleague Erich Stenzel set up a crowdfunding campaign to help cover fabrication costs for the balloons, barge costs, security and permit fees for the event. At the time of writing, the campaign had raised $25 of its $250.000 goal.” (HeatStreet) “If all goes as planned, Stenzel and Roberts intend to take the pigs on the road—to Vegas.”Unlike the Rosary in the Sky, the architects’ golden pig, unsolicited cover-up of the Trump name is already proving it has no staying power. That’s likely because the good people of Chicago know that the Trump sign seen over the Windy City’s skyline for years was never a problem. No problem, that is, until the progressive temper tantrums that came after the word ‘President’ was added to his name.
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